AUSIT Webinar | 20260604 Ethics for Interpreters: Dilemmas and Challenging Situations

How should an interpreter respond when ethical principles collide with the pressures of real-world practice? What do you do when the textbook answer doesn’t fit the room you’re standing in?

This PD session is based on real-life ethical dilemmas encountered by interpreters, service users, and agencies that work with freelance interpreters. The focus will be on the actions of the interpreter and how these reflect ethical principles and professional standards.

Facilitated by Dr Jim Hlavac, who brings extensive experience in ethics and interpreter training, this interactive workshop takes a practical, discussion-based approach. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on a range of scenarios in small breakout groups before coming together in the main room for a guided discussion led by Dr Hlavac.

Pre-requisite for registration: Familiarity with the AUSIT Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct, including the section ‘Conduct issues specific to interpreters’.

Our previous event, Ethics for Interpreters (2025) is available for purchase from the AUSIT Webinar Library.

Biography of our Presenter – Dr Jim Hlavac

Dr Jim Hlavac is an adjunct senior research fellow at Monash University. He is a practising NAATI-certified translator and interpreter. He has 12 years’ experience as a translator and interpreter instructor at post-graduate level and has led PD training for translators and interpreters across a variety of fields and topics.